Jodi Arias Trial Update: Media Wants More Camera Coverage Of Second-Penalty Phase

The murder of Travis Alexander, and the subsequent trial of Jodi Arias have gained a notorious amount of media attention, and with the second penalty phase trail quickly approaching, with a start date of September 29, the media is once again set to broadcast the intimacies of the trial and jury decision. Arias was convicted in 2013 of first degree murder for the 2008 killing of her then boyfriend Travis Alexander, the victim sustained multiple stab wounds, a slit throat, and a gunshot to the head in his Mesa, Arizona home. Despite the first-degree murder conviction, jurors could not agree on a sentence, meaning that the September 29 trail will determine of Arias gets the death penalty or life in prison.

The earlier stages of Arias 2013 murder trial was broadcast live, however due to the media circus that ensued presiding Judge Sherry Stephens has now denied the media the right to broadcast the second sentencing trial. USA Today reports that Judge Stephens has banned any footage of the trial being broadcast until the jury had reached and delivered the final verdict. Stephens ruled that she will allow the upcoming sentencing retrial to be videotaped, but the tapes cannot be shown until after the trial is over. However, Fox News reports that on Monday September 15, a mere two weeks before the start of second penalty phase, a media lawyer, David Bodney sought to amend Stephens order, asking for permission to allow trial footage to be aired 30 minutes after the end of each day's proceedings.

Prosecutors in the case have reportedly not objected, however Arias’ recently re-installed representation team claim that the increased media presence would hamper Arias’ right to a fair trail, Judge Stephens took the matter under advisement and said she would rule by the end of the week. In addition, Stephens is allowing the media to report upon on the trail with the assistance of a newspaper still photographer, the media is allowed to publish these images while the trail is occurring.